pages: CityCouncil/2021-05-04.pdf, 17
This data as json
body | date | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|
CityCouncil | 2021-05-04 | 17 | is an appropriate use; it is unfortunate that a majority of Council is furiously trying to limit public and Council comments and are changing the process in place since 2007; less communication is less transparency and is unfortunate. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the Council Referral process been not been used so prolifically as in the last year; a Special Council Meeting was held to work through a backlog of Council Referrals; some of the Referrals could have been answered by an off-agenda report, which can be put into a portal on the City's website; for Council meetings be user-friendly to the members of the public wishing to attend, the meetings cannot go on until the early morning hours and limited to those who are able to stay up; the matter is a change based on the use of the Council Referral process. Councilmember Daysog stated the key issue for him is that the current Referral process is a process in which he can address the concerns and voices of residents of Alameda expressing interest in particular matters; some issues are brought forth based on interesting ideas which will benefit residents; there is nothing broken with the current Council Referral process; there has possibly been more Referrals in the first quarter of 2021 than ever before; however, it should not matter; as best as possible, Council is representing the concerns and values of residents; he respects the fact that each Councilmember sees possible different models or approaches of representing constituents and residents; the current system works; the issue of efficiency is not the correct issue; Council is not having lengthy meetings due to Council Referrals, Council is having lengthy meetings due to a juggernaut of interesting issues that are piling up in unexpected ways; in times of a crisis pandemic, the meetings are what they are; efficiency is not the issue; Referrals come at the very end of the meeting; outlined Referrals he brought forth; stated he is not sold on the efficiency issue; the matter does not weigh heavily on his concern for representing constituents as best as possible; nothing stops the City Manager or Councilmember from reaching out to each other on Referral matters which require interaction with City staff; there is plenty of time for interaction to happen or have a Councilmember reconsider their Referral or any questions raised; there is not a need to create a new filter, which seems to be part of the package; he does not support Referrals first going through the filter of the City Manager; Councilmembers need to articulate their concerns and the Referral process as best as possible; Councilmembers must win over colleagues; Council should move forward with what it has; outlined his previous years of service as being different than the current process and dealing with past City Managers; expressed support for keeping the current Referral system in place. Vice Mayor Vella expressed concern about Special Meetings being held to address all of the Referrals; stated matters which could have been addressed via requests for information have not been pulled off of the agenda; Council must be respectful of City resources; Council manages City resources; the use of staff time is a significant resource; part of her concern is a significant amount of staff time being spent either waiting at a meeting or preparing information in response to the Referral without Council direction; expressed support for the recommendation. Vice Mayor Vella moved approval of the subcommittee's proposal [including adoption of the resolution]. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 15 May 4, 2021 | CityCouncil/2021-05-04.pdf |